Lisbon Strategy - Press Release of Youth Forum

LISBON STRATEGY NEEDS TO STRENGTHEN COHESION IN ORDER TO WORK FOR YOUNG PEOPLE


Following the European Council meeting of 13—14 March, the European Youth Forum (YFJ) welcomes the emphasis European Heads of State and Government have put on the need to give continued attention to youth and employment in the context of the implementation of the European Youth Pact, as well as on the need to strengthen the social dimension of the Lisbon Strategy.

"EU Member States need to work more on the cohesion and inclusion of young people in order to ensure that all — and not only a privileged few — can profit from 'more and better jobs'," states Bettina Schwarzmayr, President of the European Youth Forum. The Heads of State highlighted that the renewed Social Agenda, which should strengthen the social dimension of the Lisbon Strategy, should cover such issues as youth, education, migration, demography and intercultural dialogue. The European Council called on Member States to implement the common principles on flexicurity, with due regard to intergenerational solidarity and with continued attention to tackling youth unemployment and implementing the European Youth Pact. When implementing the common principles on flexicurity, and in the framework of the flexicurity missions to Member States, the YFJ calls on the European Commission, EU governments, and the social partners, to meet with National Youth Councils in order to establish a genuine dialogue on integrating young people into the labour market. "It is good to hear European leaders repeat their call for a strengthened social dimension in the Lisbon Strategy," stated Schwarzmayr, "however, to achieve this, cohesion will need to become a focus of the strategy. Moreover, there is a need for more cross-sector cooperation between policy makers and the involvement of all stakeholders, including youth organisations."